T4's research found one in nine U.S. highway bridges are structurally deficient. These bridges need significant maintenance, rehabilitation or replacement. Making matters worse, the progress on repairing these bridges has been nearly three times slower in the last four years than 20 years ago.

To illustrate the size of this problem, T4 points out that the 66,503 dificient bridges, if placed end to end, would stretch from Washington, DC, to Denver. And the problem can only gets worse. According to T4's research, in 10 years one in four bridges will be 65 years old or older. These are bridges whose design lifespan was 50 years. Almost half of bridges 65 years of age or older are deficient today.

The bridge data used in the 2013 report is derived from the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) 2013 National Bridge Inventory (NBI). States are required to report to the FHWA once a year and NBI data provides a significant level of detail on the condition of over 700,000 bridges nationwide.

Reconnecting America co-chairs the Transportation for America campaign with Smart Growth America. T4 includes a coalition of more than 500 members including business, housing, environment, development, labor, health, aging and transportation interests to focus on the next federal transportation bill. T4 advocates for a transformational Federal transportation policy and investments that are economically sound, respond to markets and improve the lives of people.

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The Half-Mile Circles blog is a place to share information about recent research, innovations and other issues related to TOD and livable communities. We also invite experts to talk about their work. Combined with Jeff Wood's The Other Side of the Tracks, the Half-Mile Circles blog is an opportunity for a daily dose of TOD, and allows you to weigh in with your own opinions. Usual blog rules apply; please keep the comment threads civil. To submit an expert article, contact Jeff Wood